WNBA Guard Hailey Van Lith on Her Game-Day Routine

It’s a good time to be Hailey Van Lith. This year alone, the star basketball guard, who’s also known by her initials of HVL, was named Big 12 Newcomer and Player of the Year while playing for TCU, drafted #11 overall in the WNBA Draft to the Chicago Sky, and made the cover of Sports Illustrated. Not to mention, she won a bronze medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris last year. And in between all of that, she’s recently become a Batiste brand ambassador.

To get to such an elite level, pre-game and post-game rituals are essential for looking and feeling your best, whether it’s a beauty, mindfulness, or nutrition routine. “It really starts with investment into self,” says Van Lith. Between games, travel, training, and game-day prep, carving out free time can be challenging. But being able to step away and do something that’s just for her, whether it’s journaling or putting together her pre-game outfit, makes all the difference for the all-star athlete.

Ahead, the Chicago Sky guard walks us through her day-to-day routine, sharing everything from her slick-back bun techniques and post-game hair hacks to her top career moments.

Her Pre-Game Glam Routine

“I’m really into taking care of my skin because it’s hard for me to wear makeup with how much I sweat. The skin prep on a game day and off-day is the same. But for game days, knowing that I’m going to be on camera, I love to either add in tan drops into my moisturizer, or even put on a tinted moisturizer. Then, the blush brings it all together. I love a vibrant, pink blush to highlight my cheekbones. I keep [my look] simple, and I feel like the blush is very natural but pretty. This year, I have been using the [Makeup by] Mario blushes a ton—it’s definitely my favorite. The formula is so pigmented, and it lasts through sweat pretty well. I also am really into the Charlotte Tilbury [Beauty Blush Wands].”

How She Preps Her Mind for Competition

“I always feel the best about myself when I take time to enjoy my own company. So that’s getting [away] from social media, electronics, all that stuff. Whether it’s meditating, reading, or chilling with my favorite music on in the background, taking time to be alone and enjoy being around myself gets me in the best, confident state to go play. So I try to do that as much as I can the days leading up to a game.”

Her Proudest Career Moment So Far

“Getting drafted [to the WNBA] is high [on my list of proud moments]. But honestly, making my first Olympic team, then making the 3×3 Olympic roster, and then medaling on top of that [is a career highlight]. Being an Olympian is one of those top wishes on everybody’s list. So I was proud of myself to get there this young and before I was even officially a pro. That was a really cool moment.”

What Game Days Look Like for Her

“We play a lot of night games, so we’ll have a shoot-around in the afternoon. Before and after [I do] a ton of treatment: prepping my body, getting it warm, seeing how it feels. Then I have to [squeeze] a nap in there. When I wake up, that’s when I start my meditation, my journaling, and listening to music. I love fashion and putting together my fit, so putting on the outfit is always a fun moment for me.

I get to the game at least three hours early. I do my tunnel fit walk and then get changed right away. Then it’s more treatment, maybe another snack in there, and then get as many shots up. Sometimes I really struggle to sleep after games, because my adrenaline gets so high. [I’ll watch] my favorite comfort show or play rain sounds on my phone—whatever I can do to get myself to fall asleep.”

Her Game-Day Hair Hacks

“I go through phases. For a while, I was in a braid phase. I’ve done straight [hair and] ponytails. Now I’m in a slick-back era. I use my grease stick and hair gel because I need [all the hold that I can get]. But honestly, after the game is the toughest part, because I still have to do media, be in front of the camera, meet people, or travel right away. My hair is gross because I just sweat [so much], so I use the Batiste dry shampoo to absorb some of that sweat and the smell. My favorite scent is Mellow Melon. I do not want to smell the sweat on my head. So, honestly, the biggest hack is what to do after [each game].”

Her Must-Have Desert-Island Beauty Products

“Vaseline is my number one lip product when I sweat and I’m talking so much on the court. I have naturally dry skin, so my lips are dry. That’s why I have Vaseline on me at all times. I even have them keep a little jar on the bench for me if I need it in the game.

[My other favorite product is] the bronzing face drops from Coco & Eve. I use those very heavily throughout the week. And then, my hair is always up. So any of my hair gels or grease sticks would have to be up there. I use a few different versions [of the Batiste dry shampoos]. They have one specifically for sweat and athletes [called Batiste Sweat Activated Dry Shampoo]. So I keep that one in my locker at the gym. But honestly, my favorite is the Mellow Melon scent.”

What She’s Always Eating on Game Days

“I have a hot take. I like to play on an empty stomach. So I just nibble and snack before games. I know I need the calories and the nutrients, so I’ll get as much as I can in, but I really like to feel super light when I play. So I’ll snack, I’ll drink tea, I’ll eat a lot of fruit and lighter things like that.

After the game, I have a nice, hefty meal. I am a pasta girl, outside of breakfast. Breakfast is my all-time favorite meal. So if it’s not breakfast, I love pasta. I can do vodka sauce, I can do Alfredo, I can do bolognese. It does not matter. I’m not picky. I’m also a sweets girl, so after the game, I usually have some type of dessert, whether it’s a cookie or a little scoop of ice cream.”

On Her Transition to the WNBA

“There’s a lot more independence that comes with the WNBA and being a professional [athlete]. I don’t have school after my games. I have free time to really build a life outside of my sport, and I’ve been enjoying that. Chicago is a great city. I love the [location] that I’m in and the people that we have here. Obviously, it’s a hard transition, because on the court, it’s a big step. But life in general? I love it. I’m really happy.”